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Definition of iconic

iconic

/aɪˈkɑː.nɪk/
i · con · ic
Adverb:iconically
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iconic Lexical Profile

iconic Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Widely recognized, well-established, and acknowledged especially for distinctive excellence or as a defining symbol of a culture, era, or movement.

Example

"The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic architectural landmarks of the twentieth century."

2

Relating to, having the nature of, or characteristic of an icon, sacred image, or pictorial representation.

Example

"The museum's Byzantine gallery features iconic paintings crafted on gilded wooden panels."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for iconic

• Nearby Words

ickiness
icky
icon
iconic
iconically
icy
id

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from Latin 'iconicus', from Ancient Greek 'eikonikos' (representing a figure or likeness), derived from 'eikon' meaning 'image' or 'portrait'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Iconic. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/iconic
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